Suicide Prevention Week 2015

Dear Elites and Parents: 

This week is Suicide Prevention Week in Broward County. My peer counselors will be working on making a couple banners for the school with the suicide prevention hotline. Last week we started speaking about this topic as a class. I was so impressed how mature all my students were in speaking about this.

This week my 2nd period will have a special guest speaker. Her name is Kimberly Kelleher, LMHC. Mrs. Kelleher is a family counselor who makes up the Suicide Prevention Team for Broward County. At this time she will only be meeting with my high schoolers. Mrs. Kelleher is scheduled to return to speak to my middle schoolers in January. 

Wishing you a great long weekend! 

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust...

Contact Information Form

Dear Parents:

Please fill out this contact information form on or before Monday, August 31, 2015.

Just click on the link below and fill out the form. I promise it won’t take more than 3 minutes.

http://goo.gl/forms/mcQtY222bk

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust…

ALL ABOUT ME

ALL ABOUT

MRS. RAQUEL C. ESCUDERO, MFT

WELCOME TO THE 2015-2016 school year. 

My name is Raquel C. Escudero and I am so happy to be your teacher this year.

This year will be my 5^th year at Somerset and I couldn’t be happier. 

A few things to know about me…

·      I attained my Bachelors and Masters degrees from Nova Southeastern University. Go SHARKS!

·      I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have two beautiful daughters.

·      This year means a lot to me because I will see my first year students graduate. Classes of 2016 and 2017 have a very special place in my heart.

    I am a Marriage and Family Therapist.

·      Aside from being the Peer Counseling teacher on B days, I am also a Student Support Counselor. I provide brief mental health counseling to students in need.

·      I never imagined teaching would bring so much joy to my life. I thought being a therapist would be IT for me, but little did I know that teaching was the missing link to my complete professional fulfillment.

·      Teaching students how to peacefully solve a conflict always brings a smile to my face, HOWEVER, seeing them apply it to their daily lives, now, that brings a smile to my heart. 

·      I am always available to speak to. Email is the quickest way to reach with me.

I look forward to this new school year. I am very excited for the changes I have made to further perfect the program.

If you should have any questions, please email me at rescudero@somersetacademy.com.

Thank you,

RAQUEL C. ESCUDERO, MFT

Little Words, Big Thoughts

Good Morning! 

As I sit here during my summer vacation I find myself reading articles and thinking about my students. 

This morning I read one in Psycology Today titled "Little Words, Big Thoughts" where a study shows that students' essays contain stealth predictions of future success. All my students come to mind with the article but in particular those that will be writing college entrance exams this year. 

Here is a copy of the article for your reading pleasure. 

Enjoy your summer vacation! 

MEAN STINKS INITIATIVE!

Hi Parents: 


This month will be a fun filled month! Your kiddies will be making a difference and spreading such a positive message to the student body. 

We will be taking part in the SECRET MEAN STINKS campaign! My peer counselors will be going into the elementary classrooms and discussing the importance of being kind to others. Bullying will also be discussed.

In support of this cause, girls will be able to have their pinkie nails painted blue for the month of February and boys {or any girls who do not wish to paint their pinkie nails} will be able to wear a blue yarn bracelet.

I will posting pictures along the way...stay tuned to see how involved and motivated my Elites are!

...here's to a FUN FILLED January!

Happy New year to all my Elites and their wonderful families!

This week we have a lot to discuss:

* New Years Resolutions
* How we will follow through with them
* Our new initiative this month which is THE MEAN STINKS CAMPAIGN http://meanstinks.com/ which will be coupled with NO NAME CALLING WEEK http://glsen.org/nonamecallingweek

It will be a busy month for us. Can't wait to share it with you all.

Midterms

Tomorrow is 2nd and 4th period midterms. 

If you're doing an alternate assignment, remember to do a random act of kindness and write a paragraph and a half about your act of kindness. 

Don't forget to add a picture. 

See you tomorrow. 

The Beauty In You {STUDENT OF THE WEEK}

By: Alexa Lopez 

We all judge people. We judge them on what they look like, what they like to do, we judge them on them. But the truth is no one will ever know that person like they know themselves. I and many people judge themselves more than anyone else. Its not because we are weird (we aren't) Its because nobody’s perfect, and we keep picking out every single flaw that we happen to think we see on ourselves. I can’t classify this as living because it’s not. Worrying what everyone thinks about your shoes, your hair, you, its just not worth it. I just wanted to take a moment and appreciate how beautiful every single person on earth is. you must not let the worst of times break you. Let the worst of times strengthen you, let them fill you with knowledge, and bring out really how amazing you are because under every plate of armor you pack on top of your self, inside of every wall you build around yourself there is a person, there is a person who is beautiful and worth it and simply amazing.

Depression cannot define you, anxiety cannot define you, only what is inside of your heart, and your true colors that may define you. Do not let the definition of one irrelevant, one stupid label that someone who judges you define you. No matter how many tears you shed, or how many times you want to give up, just remember, you are strong and beautiful and everything that they don’t see because they were wrong, they are wrong. You are you. You are amazing. You are simply and utterly beautiful.  

Parent Power Workshop: Talking to Your Child about DIFFICULT Topics

Parent Power Workshop: Talking to Your Child about DIFFICULT Topics

DATE: Wednesday, October 1st
TIME: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Elementary Cafeteria

Come to a Somerset Academy

Parent Power Workshop:

Talking to Your Child about DIFFICULT Topics

(Targeted for children K-8th grades)

*Drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse

*Death and Illness *Sex and sexuality *Abuse and Violence

DATE: Wednesday, October 1st

TIME: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

LOCATION: Elementary Cafeteria

For Further questions or information please email LSakay@somersetacademy.com

...I am back!

It's been a rough start this year for me and I wanted to take a moment to explain my time out of the classroom the past few weeks.

Over the summer my grandfather was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. This quickly trickled down to his stomach, lymph nodes and body. To make a very long story short, he quickly passed on Sept. 17th. I took my two bereavement on the 17th and the 19th. I also took the 26th to handle other matters related to this passing.

I am pleased to be back in class with your children. I wanted to thank you for all the heartfelt emails you have all sent to me. Your kids have been so understanding and caring during these difficult times. All the kind words, hugs and love have helped me surpass such a difficult time in my life.

Thank you for everything. You are all doing a fabulous job in raising such beautiful and kind hearted young adults. I am so blessed to be their teacher.

Thank you again,

OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT

Dear Parents:

Just a reminder that this evening at 6pm is Open House. Due to a family emergency, I will not be in attendance. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please feel free to email me with any concerns or questions you may have.

Again, I apologize for not being here tonight. I look forward to meeting you all some other time. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE {I will be in room 407}

Middle School Open House

Tuesday, September 9th
6:00pm
Grades 6-8
*Please bring your child's schedule!
*Click here for special room assignments!

We welcome all Middle School Parents to our Annual Open House!  Please bring your child's class schedule and follow the itinerary below.

**2 Parent Volunteer Hours per FAMILY will be given**

Schedule:

•  6:00 - 6:25pm   1st period
•  6:30 - 6:45pm   2nd period
•  6:50  -7:05pm   3rd period
•  7:10 - 7:25pm   4th period
•  7:30 - 7:45pm   5th period
•  7:50 – 8:05pm   6th period
•  8:10 - 8:25pm   7th period

Special Room Assignments (MS):

• PE Coaches:  GYM
• Ms. Savon – Judo
• Ms. Glick – 101
• Ms. Nunez – 319
• Mr. Burgs – 403
• Ms. Gallo – 404
• Ms. Zamudio – 405
• Ms. Marrero – 406
• Ms. Escudero – 407
• Ms. Pyles – 410
• Ms. Salas – 411
• Ms. Sanderlis – Media Center
• Mr. Navarro – Weight Lifting Room
• Mr. Saenz - Stage

Boil Water Notice lifted...yay!!!

The effect of schoolwork and homework on student interactions

By: Michael Lambert (STUDENT OF THE WEEK) 6th period

I have experienced firsthand what homework can do to student interactions. Homework has made me interact with students to get help, or get homework. I’ve also done homework with people. This forces students to interact with others. This also creates disputes between students regarding who did what and who did all of the work. This is part of school life and I believe that we, as a class will face this type of thing.

Thoughts? 

2nd period doing mock mediations

Today I snapped some pictures of my 2nd period rockstars doing mock mediations. They did awesome!!! 💕

#word

Comments? Thoughts?

Putting a Pet to Sleep...

by: Briana Mauri (STUDENT OF THE WEEK) 4th period

Putting a pet to sleep is always a hard thing to do. I've gone through it twice and will be doing it again soon. When I was 8, my first dog was really sick so my parents decided to put him to sleep . I didn't know until 3 days later. I was so sad when I found out but after some time passed, I realized that it was the best thing for my dog . He was suffering all the time and by putting him to sleep, we were taking away his pain . Even though this was painful for my family and I, we couldn't be selfish and keep him alive for our benefit.

Then a year later my other dog went through the same thing and we put her to sleep . This second time around , I understood more. I realized that with time, you accept the situation and feel better knowing that your pet is no longer suffering and that you did the right thing. 

Our pets don't have a voice . We have to do what is best for them and putting them to sleep is a selfless act. It is sad for us to have to experience this but it is even sadder to let them live with pain or suffering. 

Can anyone relate to this?

International Day of Peace

By: A.J. Cordoba (STUDENT OF THE WEEK) 2nd period

International Day of Peace is September 21st. That day is dedicated to peace all over the world. It is a day absent of violence worldwide. Peace day originated in the year of 2002. 

There are lots of ways people celebrate peace day. People have art exhibitions promoting peace, a peace walk, picnics for peace and peace meditation.

 If you go to http://internationaldayofpeace.org/actions/, you can find a list of activities to celebrate peace day. This year the theme is “Right to Peace.” This day is very important to this world because it shows that people still care about world peace, not just about money, power and war. 

This year it is very important because of all of the non-peaceful things going on in this world currently. For example, Russia taking land from Ukraine. Also, The war between Israel and Gaza. There is also the protesting in Venezuela. Then there are even some at home in our country. They are protesting the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri which is causing lots of riots and looting amongst the city of Ferguson. 

In retrospect, The International Day of Peace is very important to earth and everyone on it. It makes us come together and stop violence. It helps us realize the importance of world peace. 

Making sure you are all signed up...

Dear Parents and Students: 

If you are receiving blog updates via email PLEASE shoot me a quick email at rescudero@somersetacademy.com to confirm. 

Some people are reporting they are notified when I post to the blog while others report they signed up but are not receiving any notice when I post. 

...I hope to hear from you all. 

Let's try this again...

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your Labor Day weekend! I have been able to catch up and rest for a wonderful 4 day week starting on Tuesday.

Last week was still a transitional week since we had many students getting schedule changes and still moving around a little. I announced the STUDENT{s} OF THE WEEK last week but I was not able to speak to my 3 students and give them the proper instructions.

Sooooo...LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN! I will let them stay as STUDENTS OF THE WEEK one more week so they fulfill their duties completely.

As STUDENT OF THE WEEK, you are recognized in class and are able to assist me throughout the week with lesson deliveries, projects and/or planning. The Student of the Week also gets to be an honorary CO AUTHOR on this blog. I give them the freedom to write an a blog post on a topic of interest to them. I am so eager to read what they have prepared...I know it will be GREAT!!

...here's to an amazing and short week!